The next day, she went to Old Madam Yun's courtyard alone.

“Mother, may I ask you something?” Zhou bowed deeply.

Madam Yun quickly helped her up, saying, "Eldest daughter-in-law, sit down quickly. Please feel free to ask whatever you need."

Zhou helped Old Madam Yun to sit down in the main seat, and then sat down beside her before asking, "Mother, are Cousin Ya Rong and the Marquis childhood sweethearts?"

Madam Yun was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Have you heard the gossip of those ladies in the capital? Ya Rong grew up in my care since she was a child, and only returned to Dingzhou when she was 13. Yun Yue is three years older than her, so you could say they were childhood sweethearts."

Zhou's face showed a slight bitterness. "Did my cousin Ya Rong have a nickname when she was little, Nuan Nuan?"

Madam Yun's expression changed. "How did you know?"

At this moment, Madam Zhou was very determined. "Mother, I have always known that the Marquis has someone in his heart. That person's name is Nuannuan. During the more than half a month that he has been in a coma, every time I mention Ya Rong or Nuannuan in his ear, he will react, as if he is trapped by something, but he can never wake up. Yesterday, we went to Guangxiao Temple, and the abbot suggested that he should perform a ritual to bring him good luck. I know in my heart that this person can only be my cousin Ya Rong."

Madam Yun was shocked. "This is impossible! Eldest daughter-in-law, you must not think such things. Although they grew up together as childhood sweethearts, they have absolutely no romantic feelings for each other."

A look of sorrow crossed Zhou's face. "Mother, I don't know what happened between them back then, that the Marquis, despite having feelings for my cousin, didn't marry her. I also believe that the Marquis and my cousin have never done anything improper over the years. The Marquis's family suffered the calamity of being raided, and my cousin Ya Rong is our benefactor. I feel only gratitude towards her, with no resentment or suspicion. But I know my own body is failing, and I'm afraid I won't live much longer. But the Marquis cannot be harmed; he is the hope of the Yun family, the pillar of the Yun family. Since the abbot has proposed the method of 'marrying a bride to bring good fortune,' I only wish to try it. I beg you, Mother, to grant my request."

Madam Yun was astonished. "You want Yun Yue to take Ya Rong as a concubine?"

Madam Zhou shook her head. "I know that my cousin Ya Rong and you are as close as mother and daughter, and she is a fifth-rank lady-in-waiting with the official title of Guest Minister. Not to mention her, even you would never want to make her a concubine. Moreover, my cousin Ya Rong has done a great favor for our Yun family. I cannot allow her to become a concubine in the Yun family, neither morally nor logically. I am about to die, and I only wish to welcome her into the mansion with the respect due to a wife of equal rank. After I... pass away... after I pass away, she will be the mistress of the Marquis's mansion. What do you think, Mother?"

Seeing the hesitation on Madam Yun's face, she continued, "Strictly speaking, even a concubine is treated as a secondary wife. I can write a divorce agreement with the Marquis in advance, and then welcome my cousin Ya Rong into the manor with the rites due to a principal wife. I only ask that I stay in the Marquis's manor for the last few days of my life, and that the Marquis's manor hold the funeral after my death, so that Bai Ge'er and Wan Jie'er can see me off. I beg Mother's permission. As for the Yun family and my cousin's family, I will make thorough preparations before I leave, so that they will not misunderstand my cousin Ya Rong."

Madam Yun was overcome with grief, her eyes suddenly reddening. "Eldest daughter-in-law, how could it have come to this? How could it have come to this!"

Zhou rose again, knelt before Old Madam Yun, and kowtowed deeply. "Mother, this is the only way to save the Marquis, and it is also my only wish right now. I beg you to grant my request!"

Madam Yun closed her eyes. "I need to think about this matter carefully. You may go back now."

Madam Zhou bowed deeply again, saying, "As long as Mother agrees, my daughter-in-law will talk to Cousin Ya Rong."

Zhou walked away weakly, leaning against the wall.

Madam Yun asked Li, the old nanny who had been serving her, "What do you think?"

Granny Li looked at her strangely and said, "Madam's idea is indeed... a bit shocking."

Who would divorce their husband before dying so that their husband could marry a second wife?

Madam Yun asked, "I mean, have you noticed anything about Ya Rong?"

Granny Li shook her head. "The First Madam has tried several times to invite Lady Su to visit the Marquis, but Lady Su has refused to avoid suspicion, only sending the young county princess to visit him. However... according to the Third Master, the Marquis was able to uncover the truth of the treason case thanks to Lady Su's guidance. She has followed you ever since the confiscation of your property last year. Although you and she are like mother and daughter, it's hard to say that she doesn't have any lingering feelings for the Marquis. If she were to enter the Yun family, it would only be beneficial."

Madam Yun sighed, "I know she and Yun Yue have been deeply in love since childhood. It's just... back then, for the sake of the Marquis's family's future, I pushed her out. Now..."

She didn't continue, but Granny Li knew what she wanted to say and comforted her, "I've seen and remembered how much Lady Su has treated you all these years. She's never blamed you. But are you really not going to tell her about her background?"

Madam Yun shook her head. "So many years have passed, her background should be unknown to everyone. I thought she could live a peaceful life after marrying a scholar, but I never expected the Jiang family to be such a family. I really misjudged her! I am happy that she is willing to marry back into the Marquis's mansion. It's just that the eldest daughter-in-law... if word gets out, her reputation will not be good."

Li Mama hesitated and said, "But it's not good for the Marquis to remain unconscious like this. People from the palace have come several times to inquire about his condition. If a marriage to bring good luck is the only way, this old servant thinks we might as well give it a try. Besides, it would only be beneficial for Lady Su and the young county princess to stay in the Marquis's residence. Perhaps, with their good fortune, the Marquis might actually wake up."

Madam Yun understood the implication in her words. Little Fu Bao had always been blessed with good fortune. Although they were considered family before, they weren't on the same family tree. If Ya Rong were to take the Yun family's surname, perhaps Little Fu Bao's good fortune would circulate within the Yun family. Besides, Su Yiren and the young county princess had powerful backers like the Grand Princess, the Duchess of Zhenguo, and the Prince Xuan's heir. For the Yun family, this was truly all beneficial.

She pondered for a moment, then sighed, "Fine, go tell the eldest son's wife to do as she says. Tell her to relax and that living a good life is the most important thing."

Zhou was overjoyed upon receiving the letter and immediately went to the Su residence.

Upon hearing Zhou's explanation of her purpose, Su was stunned, her face flushed red, and she waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Sister-in-law, what are you saying? No, no, this is absolutely unacceptable. I don't know what gossip you've heard..."